This is the second winter we’ve needed our tractor to plow the driveway and the fuel filters have clogged again. Went through this last year so this year we were sure to put in additive to supposedly keep the diesel from gelling. We have a kubota BX25 and apparently the kubota fuel filters are known for gelling up. We replaced them after it happened last winter. Does anyone else have this issue? Did you put in aftermarket fuel filters? Any other tricks to keep this from happening?!
I’ve never had gelling with my BX22 (purchased in 2002-ish), although I do park it in an unheated garage during the winter months, But even when it’s outside, it starts up just fine and runs great. In fact, I did a little plowing with mine this afternoon to deal with some drifting on part of our long driveway.
couple of thoughts from experience of keeping a kubota tractor happy in Winterpeg. Make sure you are using winter grade diesel not summer grade, keep up with the antigel, make sure you plug in the block heater at least 4 hours in advance, also we had ours modified so that the glow plugs kick in for 10s instead of 3s.
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No issue with our Kubota diesel starting in winter. We don’t usually plug it in until temps drp into the teens. Usually is plugged in an hour or two, whole doing other chores before starting it. We buy the local diesel fuel which comes treated for winter use, starting about Oct. We do not use any anti-gel with the treated fuel use. We have not had any starting issues in all our various winter conditions of easy to harsh like the last couple weeks.
Do you let the global plugs warm up before asking tractor to start? I will count to thirty, then turn the key to crank the engine. This seems to work 99% of the time. When it doesn’t, I let the tractor warm up longer and then it starts. Never had it fail to start and saying that will probab
No issue with our Kubota L2600BT diesel starting in winter. Husband put a Kubota heater on it a few years ago, tractor did not come with it. We don’t usually plug heater in until temps drop into the teens. Usually is plugged in an hour or two, while I am doing other chores before starting it. Saving electricity, tractor is not plugged in all the time. Tractor is kept in a shed with open ends. We buy the local diesel fuel at gas stations, fuel which comes treated for winter use. All diesel fuel here gets treated starting about Oct. We do not use any anti-gel with the treated fuel use. We have not had any starting issues in all our various winter conditions of easy days and temps, to harsh conditions like the last couple weeks. Tractor is run almost every day, so fuel does not get elderly sitting in the tank.
Do you let the global plugs warm up before asking tractor to start? I will count to thirty with key set to accessories for warming up glo-plugs, then turn the key fully to crank the engine. This seems to work 99% of the time. When it doesn’t, I let the tractor warm up longer and then it starts. Never had tractor fail to start and saying that will probably jinx us! Ha ha
Husband asked if you have replaced glo-plugs recently, last year or so? Glo plugs do need to be replaced now and again. Battery being older, maybe not at full strength in this cold, could be part of the problem too. Sorry you are having problems. We love our Kubota, she is a wonderful machine.
With diesel, it doesn’t matter if you have block heaters or such. They don’t prevent fuel gelling. I’ve started a diesel in -39F and 1/2 mile down the road the fuel just turned to glue. Changing full filters etc. can help, but there are also fuel strainers in the tank that can gel too. The key is to run anti-gellant (I use Diesel Kleen) continuous for a few tanks. Things like Diesel 911 only are for very temporary situations. Generally, I will almost double the amount of anti-gellant directed the colder it gets. I add anti-gellant days before an anticipated storm, if I haven’t already, at double the directed amount.
I have a fuel heater in the bowl, however, if the fuel can’t get there, it ain’t going to work (unless I run the engine long enough to heat the entire fuel tank).
If you can get the tractor started, dump a couple of bottles of Diesel 911 and then standard anti-gellant in the tank while it is running. It should get the fuel back to normal. If it ain’t running, still dump the Diesel 911 in the tank. It may unclog the strainers.
John Deere 4320 tractor in Colorado.
Agree with RAYERS. diesel 911 & power source diesel kleen. I worked on a farm in the early 2000s and never had trouble with the Kubota. You used it every day 365. Thinking back we never used any type of fuel treatment and should have just as a preventative… On my farm now, my Kubota tractor is good, never had any problems.
Interesting thread here about algae contaminated fuel tanks. Fairly common. Could be worth investigating?
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/oil-fuel-lubricants/313289-fuel-filters-keep-clogging-3.html
I’m so sorry your tractor stopped when you need it the most! No fun dealing with equipment failure in arctic weather.
Second investigating tank contamination. Many people refuel small tractors (particularly) using 5 gal. jerry cans of some sort. Unless the people are scrupulous in keeping those cans clean then you will get crud in your tank and then in your filters. If’s also possible to get crud in larger tanks that some places use. Or even from a commercial source. Buy your diesel from a reputable source that sells a lot of it.
G.
Thanks for this thread. My Kubota is currently stuck in my barnyard where my horses have chosen to eat chunks out of the seat. 
It will start, but will not stay running. I will get some diesel 911 this weekend. I have not had this problem in the past but don’t tend to use it when it’s this cold - if it’s this cold we don’t tend to get tons of snow…I just had it serviced and the tanks drained in October so I am guessing it’s gelling…not contaminated. But who knows. Sigh.
I have covered it with old horse blankets now to keep my idiots away from it. I should put a bridle on it - that would probably work better. :mad:
BO has a Kubota from 2002 or so that DH uses to plow snow along with usual jobs. Unless it pooped out since the blizzard on Thursday, it has always started. It’s vital because she has three pastures with outside horses who get round bales. The farm came with a fuel tank outside the little barn, so I assume that the diesel is treated for whatever season it is.
The temperature shot up and it’s one degree above zero. BO and family are in the Bahamas because her daughter is getting married this weekend. I guess I’ll head over for the latest news and to see what’s going on. It’s too cold to ride, even for me.
Ok this is what I thought. We installed a block heater and doesn’t really seem to do anything. We got diesel 911 last winter when we went through this. Never have a problem starting it but can’t do anything without rpms dropping and turning off. So if add the diesel 911 (really a couple bottles?!) how long do you think we’d have to let it idle? I think maybe we just haven’t been adding enough anti-gellant plus single digits don’t help. It is less than 3 years old and we do always let the global plugs warm up before turning it on.
So where do you get Diesel 911? The polar vortex is moving out tomorrow - YIPPEEE!! but I may need to know this in the future. Just not the near future I hope.
You can get it at any auto store. We got it at NAPA
Let it run and you will know when all is good. The engine will just straighten up and run smooth. It is obvious.
The anti-gellants won’t change the combustion excessively, hence why I tend to over treat. Some anti-gellants are better than others. I’ve had best success with Diesel Kleen.
14 year old JD 5525, plug in the block heater that comes standard equipment. Wait about 15-20 minutes, turn the key starts right up every time. Even sitting outside in -5 like this morning. Takes a while for the hydraulics to warm up and operate properly. Been filling it with 5 gallon cans for years, last time I changed the fuel filters was a couple of years ago.
Nothing runs like a Deere.
I wouldn’t buy a diesel tractor of any size that didn’t come with a factory installed block heater as standard equipment. I have a 1968 International 504 diesel and it came with a factor installed block heater. The after market block heaters don’t work as well. Radiator water heater recyclers work well and easy to install.
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The Kubota starts up fine, it’s the fancy GMC diesel truck that’s sitting there. I have no idea if the tractor has a block heater, but it’s never been plugged in anywhere in any case. The bigger problem is that the toilet in the barn overflowed, which probably means the pipe into the septic tank is frozen. BO picked a good week to head to the Bahamas!
Wow, you learn something new every day. I had NO idea there was a difference between summer and winter fuel, or that diesel “gelled” in the winter! I noticed when we were below zero and in the single digits I had to hold the key much longer than usual but it started every time. Is there something I need to add?
Straight #1 fuel, not just winter blend, plus fuel additive and I keep it plugged in. Reed is right, a block heater won’t prevent gelling, but it helps with starting, IMO. John Deere 4430
Not only that, but there is clear diesel and dyed diesel. Clear is what you use in highway vehicles. The dyed formula is for off-road use and isn’t taxed. If you use a lot of fuel in your tractor on the farm, it’s might be worth looking into having a tank to save some money. I remember when it changed back in the 90s when I was out yachting, they told us it was illegal to use dyed fuel in trucks.
I don’t think a block heater will warm your fuel enough to keep it from gelling. But people use block heaters to keep the engine warmer to start easier…that sounds like it would hep in this situation.
My tractor turned over fine, but wouldn’t stay running. It was above freezing yesterday and it started up and ran great, so obviously I know my problem now. It has 1/3 tank of diesel but probably it’s summer fuel because I have several cans and don’t use it often. I’ll get a refill and they should help for the future.
Note to self: don’t fill up tractor in October and hardly ever use it. Now to buy a new tractor seat.
